A special BL that deserves your time

I think I've made it my mission to get everyone I know to watch this show lol. I absolutely LOVED this series. Music, acting, storyline, cinematography, EVERYTHING was done so well.

This is the first Thai BL that I actually followed as it aired and I was hooked from the beginning and I think what originally intrigued me, from the first trailer, was how different it is from other BLs (i.e. the setting to the professions of the main characters), but the differences in details are just the tip of what sets this apart from other BLs. For me, this show is much more mature than the other BLs I've seen in terms of the themes, social commentary, the way the characters conduct themselves emotionally. Maybe I'm just old (lol) but the fact this show, despite being only 10 episodes long, was a slow burn really made me appreciate the journey P'Aof, Eath, and Mix take us on.

EarthMix/PhuphaTian:
Earth and Mix really hit it out of the park. Their acting and chemistry was nothing short of phenomenal. They really put their heart into their characters and it definitely comes off on screen. They really did an amazing job making me feel what they felt—I laughed with them, I cried with them, I got annoyed and angry (here's looking at you Chief in episode 8), I felt giddy (Episode 3!!). I think there's a criticism about all the quiet staring between the two MCs, but for me, this was one of my favorite things about this show. You're watching two characters fall in love with each other, but they're so hesitant for their own reasons (Tian coming to terms with his sexuality and Phu being an awkward 30 year old who hasn't learned how to adequately convey his feelings lol (relatable)). Mix and Earth say so much with their eyes that I feel like you can't adequately express with words and for me, I loved watching them slowly get to the place where they're finally able to say the words out loud. For me, this made all the heartbreaking scenes even more heartbreaking and the ending that much more satisfying.

Story/Music:
Fantastic. There's no other word for it. I'm grateful for Bacteria for creating such amazing source material and words can't describe how much in awe I am of P'Aof and whoever else worked on translating the novel into the script/story. I haven't finished the book yet, but from what I understand there are some differences (as expected), but without knowing what those differences are I trust P'Aof did what he thought was best for the series. You can tell a lot of thought went into the story as just about no stone goes left unturned. Every detail is so meticulous. You can tell this was a labor of love and I, as a fan and a viewer, am so grateful.

The show, while taking on very classic drama tropes, I think does a great job in ramping up the intensity. The way the plot and characters are written allows you to be fully immersed. Specifically in the last few episodes when the drama is at its peak, was yelling at my tv through tears.

I can't talk about the story without talking about the music/scoring. PHENOMENAL. The opening OST is already iconic and now we have three versions (still waiting on GMMTV to give us the EarthMix version), and of course Earth's FIRST OST (proud of him) which is so sweet, but I also love the incorporation of previously released songs as well. The song used in the Karaoke scene in Ep. 3 is dreamy and of course, the most recent song used at the reception in Ep. 10? I cried and then immediately purchased the song on iTunes lol. Aside from the lyrical songs, the scores included in the series are just perfection. We have all the classic silly sounds used to elevate the mood of certain scenes, but for me, it's the romantic scores used throughout the series that just never fails to make my heart flutter. I applaud whoever worked on the score for the series.

Underrated favorite scene of ATOTS:
This is random, but I cry every time I watch this scene (I've seen it at least half a dozen times at this point) so I want to mention it lol. One of my absolute favorite scenes of the series is the campfire scene in Ep. 9. It's so heartbreaking and Earth and Mix did such a phenomenal job. This scene, from the dialogue, the acting, the cinematography was SUPERB.

I know a lot of us were upset with Chief in the last few episodes, as someone who's closer to his age in the show, I can't help but feel empathy for him when he tries to get Tian to go home. Specifically in this scene, when Phu tells Tian "It's impossible" for them to be together, my heart absolutely breaks. The way Earth delivers this line, you can just hear the tired and hurt in his voice. You absolutely know Phu wants nothing more than to be with Tian, but there are so many other factors. Tian is still so young. Not to discredit his feelings or experience, because he's lived so much life for someone who's only 21, but he does have so much else to live for. Tian has his parents, friends, school, a whole other life away from Pha Pun Dao and Chief knowing that Tian would give literally all of that up just to stay with him? I mean what an act of love on Tian's part. It's awe-inspiring (sorry if that's cheesy lol) but at the same time, I feel like 1) Phu is scared Tian will resent him one day after making such a huge sacrifice and 2) he doesn't want to put Tian in the same position his mother was in (flashback to the start of the EP when Phu is talking to Torfun on the cliff about why he doesn't make time for love).

On the opposite end, seeing Tian being so honest and adamant about how he feels for Chief was so amazing to see. Mix is seriously a force."Chief, one word from you and I'll stay." I think about this scene/ dialogue constantly. It was so well done.

Rewatch ability:
I've already rewatched each episode multiple times and I just started my entire series rewatch lol. Knowing what I know now, I'm looking for clues trying to figure out when Chief's duty transformed into love and honestly, I think Chief was smitten from the very beginning.

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